In this short-run era, where a third of all jobs have run lengths of just 250 sheets, how are sheetfed offset presses faring? Industry observer Frank Romano offers his view.

By Frank Romano

3. Narrow web and wide web presses compete in some cases.

4. Newer and more automated presses compete with older but less automated presses.

Graph Expo 06 saw a high level of sales for all kinds of reproduction systems. Printers were acquiring automated 40˝ presses or automated larger-format presses to replace two or even three older presses. Thus, a smaller staff can turn out as much or more work. At the same time, digital color printers were selling like hotcakes. (The food court told me that hotcakes were selling like digital color presses.)